Reviews by mltobin:

Worcester, particularly the downtown area, does not have too many positive connotations associated with it. However, it has gotten better in recent years. One of the businesses that seems to have helped in this is Armsby Abbey.There is a long bar, as well as a good number of tables. For taps, I believe they have about 20 selections. During a couple visits, I have seen MA brewers including Mayflower, Jack`s Abbery, BBC, others. New England as a whole gets attention, and some Belgians and other US brewers are in the mix as well. For bottles, there is a list with some great options covering different styles, but is not one of those bottles lists that sometimes are larger than necessary.Food is very good, although a bit expensive. Service is very good, even when they are busy. It is nice to see that have done so well, and with that, it can get crowded at "peak dining/bar hours".

My only real issue with Armsby is the service. It seems that every time I go the bartender is a condescending jerk. I live very close by but after a dozen or so visits over the course of a year I don't plan to go back no matter how good the beer and food. But with the selection they have they won't miss my business and people won't stop going there anyway.

This place is a hidden gem! If you are anywhere in the Worcester area this is a must stop! Great locally grown food, great craft selection, and great vibes! A small hole in the wall with just a great atmosphere filled with a diverse group of great people.

Very nice place, good size for a bar but not huge. Fairly dark interior; music was kept low enough that conversation was easy.

Great tap list from around the country, with a couple from Germany and Belgium, as well. Excellent selections across multiple styles. Very impressive bottle selection, too, mostly focused on Belgians: 3F, Cantillon, etc.

Food is very modern farm-to-table kind of fare: fancy cheeses, mushrooms, etc. They also have more traditional pub fare, like burgers and fries. What I ate (and saw) was excellent.

Well apparently my review of Armsby was deleted or lost accidentally. Well... let's just say this is one of the best bars in the world! I've been around many places in the world, through Europe, some Asia, a little bit West coast U.S., and all over East Coast U.S., and this is def one of the best, if not The best bars I've ever been to. Many people get a pretentious beer geek vibe from it, which I can totally see, but you really have to get to know them to know that's just an external vibe. They are really great here, very knowledgeable and fun to talk to. They can pick out almost any beer to match one of their amazing locally sourced cuisines almost perfectly.

Prices are maybe the only issue... beers are decent but a bit on the high side, typical for a bar that has such an amazing selection, and the food can be pricey but is top top notch food almost all coming from a local farm too. Their selection of beers are amazing, with many taps, 8 or so always dedicated to Belgian beers, and countless amazing bottles that are constantly changing. Often I really have no idea how they can get many of the beers they do, lots of aged beers, super limited beers, and ones I had no idea existed or were only made for a specific event at Armsby.

Speaking of events, nothing compares to the Armsby events, from their Founders Breakfast, to stoutfest, their Christmas beerfest, to brewery take-overs, everything is always amazing. And now that they expanded the size it's even better so they can fit more people inside.

As a semi foodie it's also amazing. I try not to spend too much, but the food can be awesome. If you've never been, first thing to get is the mac and cheese, or bone marrow. From there is just gets better and better. Jerk food and other spicy food can be so hot even I have to take a step back. My only regret is that I can't make it there very often anymore due to family and financial obligations. Someday though I'll be back htere a couple times a week, probably with my son when he's old enough. I just hope Alec can hold out that long and keep this place as classy as it is!

Tap list is one of the better ones in the area but over the past half year it's been a tad stale. If you love belgians, there is always a good selection. They tend to have the same breweries on tap (Victory, Stone, Smuttynose, Firestone, Allagash), not that those are bad ones, but if you frequent this place more than once a month, you tend to get bored waiting for new stuff. They do get Trillium and Maine Beer Co. every now and then which is always a bonus.

Most people love the food, but it's a little too out there for me (no pub cheeseburger, etc.) but the cheese slates are outstanding.

Depending on when you go, it tends to get a bit packed, therefore extremely uncomfortable unless you got a seat. But nothing beats getting one of the outdoor tables on a nice summer afternoon.

Bartenders are hit or miss. Some are extremely friendly. And some are dicks. Wish there were a few less of the later.